MINUTES Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 20, 2017 Location: Belle Isle Flynn Pavilion NOTE: The March and April, 2017 minutes were not considered formal due to lack of a quorum. Chair Michele Hodges requested that the minutes be acknowledged and accepted. Motion to accept by Bud Denker and seconded by Michael Curis.

Meeting called to order at 9:07 a.m. No Quorum Roll Call and Excused Absences

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Sommer Woods Rev. Lonnie Peek Bryan Barnhill Brad Dick

PRESENT FOR BIPAC

Chair Michele Hodges Michael Curis Bud Denker

DNR STAFF PRESENT

Ron Olson Scott Pratt Mike Terrell Jacob Brown Amanda Hertl Karis Floyd

APPROVAL FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES

Due to lack of a quorum there was no motion to approve excused absences.

BELLE ISLE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES – April 20, 2017 1

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

There was no motion to approve the February 16, 2017 or the March 20, 2017 minutes, due to lack of a quorum present. Minutes will be brought before the next committee meeting for review and approval.

AWARD PRESENTION

Ron Olson, Chief, Parks and Recreation Division and Karis Floyd, Belle Isle Park Manager, presented a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support at Belle Isle Park to Jennifer Etienne, Belle Isle Park Ranger and Marco Humerez, U.S. Border Patrol Agent for saving the life of a man who recently tried to jump off the MacArthur Bridge into the River. The incident occurred on March 13, 2017. The man was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Thank you for your service and dedication.

GENERAL UPDATES City Council Presentation

In preparation for the upcoming May 9, 2017 presentation on the status of Belle Isle to the Detroit City Council, Ron Olson presented the power point presentation he intends to share with them. The presentation will be shared on the www.belleislepark.org site once it has been presented to the Detroit City Council. The State of team stood for applause on a great job at Belle Isle Park

DNR Law Enforcement Update Damon Owens was present to give a brief update from the Law Enforcement Division; Owens indicates there were no major incidents on the island this month and everyone is gearing up for the summer season. Park Operations Update

Karis Floyd shared the following staffing updates: please welcome new General Office Assistant Mia Moore who will be starting on Monday, April 24, 2017. Jennifer Etienne was promoted to a full-time Ranger; while Theresa Bryan was promoted to Lead Ranger at Milliken State Park. Welcome to Todd Schultz, Ranger who recently transferred to Belle Isle Park from Dodge 4 State Park. Congratulations to Matthew Krupansky, Ranger, who recently completed the DNR Park Ranger Academy and has resumed his duties at Belle Isle Park.

Floyd noted that we are currently hiring summer workers; applications are available at www.belleislepark.org.

BELLE ISLE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES – April 20, 2017 2

Floyd also spoke about several water main breaks recently; he also expects to be able to provide an update on the Lake Okanoka project very soon. All restrooms will be open for the summer season. Jacob Brown further explained that the restrooms that are not open are due to these water main breaks and the team is working diligently to get these repairs completed. Infrastructure Updates Amanda Hertl, Urban Field Planner, provided a written update on the infrastructure projects; the update was included in committee member packets. Hertl noted some of the highlights as well.

The Internal Affairs/Radio Building has had the new roof decking completed as well as the roof drains and interior piping completed. The design for membrane trim and termination bar is in the process of being finalized. Professional Service Consultant RFP will be issued by the end of the month for improvements to the building to move the public service center and DNR offices from the White House. The Police Station Headquarters storm drains for the downspouts are blocked and need to be cleaned out and the contractor is currently completing a punch list of items for roof work. Other updates included the Casino Building, Flynn Pavilion and White House.

Some of the upcoming 2017 projects include Iron Belle Trailhead development; a project program meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2017. The Casino elevator assessment project is to begin in mid-July 2017. The Boating Access Site (BAS) Feasibility Study has a Project Program meeting scheduled for May 18, 2017. The Wet-Mesic Flatwood Habitat Restoration Plan project program meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2017 and the island wide stormwater utility assessment and maintenance project program is scheduled for May 30, 2017.

Outreach and Upcoming Events

Jacob Brown, Belle Isle Park Supervisor, announced some of the upcoming events on Belle Isle Park:

 April 22, 2017 Spring Cleanup 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Flynn Pavilion  April 29, 2017 Walk/Run 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Aquarium  Caring Hands Sarcoidosis Balloon Release 1 p.m. Shelter 8  Detroit Love In Picnic/Reunion 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Shelter 8  Riverside Kayak Demo Day 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Beach

Several questions were asked about what types of trees will be given away and are the trees non GMO? Brown indicated he will check with Kevin Sayer to confirm what type of trees will be given away and provide an answer.

Belle Isle Conservancy Update Chair Hodges introduced Sarah Earley; Sarah is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Belle Isle Conservancy.

BELLE ISLE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES – April 20, 2017 3

It was under Sarah Earley’s leadership, before the Conservancy was even formulized; that a million dollar project was completed at Sunset Point, as well as a second project that replaced the roof on the historic horse stables. Thank you for your leadership.

Chair Hodges and the Conservancy hosted Piet Oudolf who is a Dutch Landscape Architect that we are hoping for a commission on Belle Isle. Chair Hodges went on to mention some of Mr. Oudolf’s accomplishments.

Chair Hodges also noted that the Aquarium, Conservatory, Nature Center and Dossin Museum are open all season. Please visit Gordy, the stingray at the Aquarium. The Conservatory’s J Plants are also in bloom. A high five was given to all of the volunteers and the DNR staff that help to keep the facilities open.

To purchase Belle Isle drawings, t-shirts, post cards, coasters, please visit our online store at www.belleisleconservancy.org.

Chair Hodges elaborated on some of the events on Belle Isle

 The Daffodil Luncheon was held on April 19, 2017 at the Detroit Yacht Club  Keep Belle Isle Beautiful was held April 22, 2017; registration is from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Special thanks to Genevieve Nowak, Lori Feret and the DNR Staff.  The Spring into Nature 5K proceeds will benefit the Belle Isle Aquarium  The Lily Pond Restoration will begin in approximately 4 weeks. Thanks to the support of MDOT, this will be providing the matching dollars to make this project possible. The DNR and garden clubs are actively engaged in providing leadership and core funding.  Koi Festival will be held on May 6, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  DYC Foundation Gala May 19, 2017  Grand Prexmiere to be held on June 2, 2017  Sunset at the Scott to be held August 1o, 2017; this is a fundraiser to restore the Pewabic tile at the Scott Fountain  Garden Party to be held September 12, 2017 at the Belle Isle Casino  The “Polish the Jewel” event will assist in raising dollars for the splash pad

Oak Wilt Update A written update was provided to all committee members in their packet. Thank you to the DNR, Stewardship units Heidi Frei and Robert Clancy for the completion of the oak wilt project. The Belle Isle Conservancy was the fiduciary for this project. Aerial operations began on Sunday, March 12, 2017 and continued through March 15, 2017. Some high winds and visibility issues did create some delay that extended the project beyond the 2 day flight time. There were 112 trees removed from the island. The material and all other non millable portions of the trees were chipped and sent to the cogeneration plant in Flint.

BELLE ISLE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES – April 20, 2017 4

PRESENTATION

Fish Habitat Project

Jennifer Read, Director, University of Michigan Water Center, presented a slideshow on restoring the fish habitat in the . The presentation was very informative sharing what a fish spawning reef is, where fish spawning reef projects are located, the precise placement, extension monitoring, Lake Sturgeon egg collection and Larval Sturgeon results. Read also introduced the restoration team; sharing that there is one additional project planned for . Read shared that the Belle Isle reef project was completed in December 2016 with reef construction done at the southeast corner of Belle Isle.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 minutes each)

Kathleen Krasity Stated that over 350,000 daffodils have been planted at Belle Isle Park. The goal is to plant a daffodil for each City of Detroit resident. Would like the Grand Prix setup time does not interfere with the daffodil season. daffodildaydetroit.com Additional initiative

Committee member Bud Denker asked when the daffodil blooming season is.

Ms. Krasity responded that they bloom the month of April

Andrea Sevonty International Preservation Trade Network. Looking for service projects for annual conference being held 2nd weekend of September at the Belle Isle Boat Club.

Rick Demao Expressed continued support for the Grand Prix. Spoke about traditions in Detroit and how it benefits the communities. Some traditions Mr. Demao mentioned are; in 1924 Hudson’s Thanksgiving Parade began and in 1959 the Winter Detroit International Freedom Festival (now the Detroit Fireworks) began.

Francine Pegues Operator of the Belle Isle Golf Center. Pegues invited all to a free golf lesson on May 13, 2017. To register: thebelleislegolfcenter.com Pegues spoke about the broken water mains on the island and how the breaks have affected her facility and business since 2015.

BELLE ISLE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES – April 20, 2017 5

Michael Betzold Spoke about the listening sessions and how the Grand Prix was not mentioned.

Donald Green Pictures was given to the members. Has concerns about the two dumpsters at the Casino. Does not support possible boat launches on Belle Isle. Not supportive of Grand Prix at the park.

Mary Ellen Howard Spoke about the inaccessibility of the park due to the Grand Prix setup. How much did Penske donate to the island in dollars excluding the race? What improvements have been made unrelated to the race?

Betty Roberts Was at the listening sessions and is supportive of the Grand Prix

Skip Davis Question: Would you invite Fredrick Olmstead and Mr. Oudolf to Belle Isle in the month of May so that he can see what is going on at the island.

Bill Bruce A Detroit Grand Prix Volunteer who is in support of Grand Prix at the park

COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS

Bud Denker Thank you for showing the presentation

Chair Hodges Thank you to Mike Curis for service at Big Boys and its generosity to the BIPAC meetings with coffee and donuts

Next BIPAC Meeting: May 18, 2016 Belle Isle Nature Center

Meeting Concluded 10: 53 a.m.

Approved: ______Michele Hodges Ronald A. Olson, Chief

Date: ______

BELLE ISLE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES – April 20, 2017 6